PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Total resumes HDPE production in Gonfreville / FM still in place during start-up period / European HDPE availability remains tight

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend May 2015: Renewed significant hikes for polyolefins / PVC also rising steeply / Styrenics take a breather at impressive high / Situation only expected to improve by end of the quarter

SHELL

Fire takes out cracker in Wesseling

GLOBAL CLOSURE SYSTEMS

Licence with UAE plastic packaging firm boosts presence in Middle East / Demand rising for closure systems in Gulf region

TOTAL

Raised temperature HDPE grade enhances pipe productivity / Adopted in Poland and China

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Total announces force majeure for polypropylene due to shortage of C3 in Antwerp / Allocation quotas uncertain

TOTAL

Mechanical properties of PE improved by “Dymalink” additive

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Total announces force majeure for Antwerp cracker

RENMATIX

Total acquires shares in biotech company / Industrial sugar for bio-products

TOTAL

Two French refineries to be revamped / La Mède will become the country's first biorefinery

INCOPLAS

Bi-oriented HDPE bottles made with ISBM technology chosen for dish washing liquid in Italy / Range uses Total's “SB 1359” resins

AGRICULTURAL FILM WASTE

PAFA launches initiative on agricultural plastic film waste in the UK / Major suppliers join group

POLYMER PRICES

Composites/GRP February 2015: Styrene plunge pulls resins down / Surprisingly steep rise in March's SM contract clouds outlook / Chopped strand mats slightly firmer / Demand almost back to normal

TECHNOCOMPOUND

"Bioblend" line of Polyblend affiliate acquired / Resinex appointed distributor

SHALE GAS

Chevron to quit Romania, too / Oil multinational will close European exploration chapter

SHALE GAS

Poland: US oil group Chevron pulling out of shale gas exploration / Opportunities said to be no longer competitive

ODFJELL

Petrochemical terminal in Le Havre scrapped / First victim of cuts in European refinery business

TOTAL

Launching PP grades based on non-phthalate catalysts

YEAR IN REVIEW 2014

Part 2 – Plastics Production: Shale gas revolution drives Europe into a corner / Ailing facilities are consolidated / Massive changes in PVC market / Shale oil reserves change the balance once again

POLYMER-CHEMIE

Total acquires majority share in compounding subsidiary Polyblend / New lines under construction in Carling

SAMSUNG / TOTAL

Expanded Korean aromatics hub starts / New PX, benzene and EVA units / China major buyer

POLYTALK

PlasticsEurope conference highlights petchems producers' negative outlook for future of European manufacturing / Producers call for more support from Brussels / Authorities highlight benefits of circular economy

TOTAL

Philippe Sauquet named president of Refining & Chemicals division

TOTAL

Desmarest and Pouyanné take over at the helm

TOTAL

CEO De Margerie dies in plane collision in Moscow